ESPN is poised to make sports TV history by having the first all-Black broadcast team for the NBA Finals, the network confirmed to Front Office Sports.
Analyst Mark Jackson, play-by-play announcer Mark Jones, and sideline reporter Lisa Salters will work ABC’s coverage of tonight’s Game 1 of the 2022 NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics.
The historic all-Black team is something of a happy coincidence. Analyst Jeff Van Gundy and play-by-play announcer Mike Breen were taken off the telecast after testing positive for COVID-19.
Further, the trio could be the first all-Black broadcast team to call any major championship event in the U.S.
NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski will also be on the bench due to a positive COVID test. Van Gundy and Breen hope to back behind the microphone for Game 2 Sunday.
On Thursday, ESPN also announced a long-term contract extension for Salters, who’s been with the network since 2000.
